TROLLS who use the internet to post sickening abuse will face up to two years in prison under a tough Government crackdown, the Sunday Express can reveal.

Chloe Madeley and radio presenter Vanessa Feltz are both victims of internet trolling [MARK KEHOE/REX ]

The new law will target bullies like those who abused Chloe Madeley last week, threatening her with rape in online taunts.

Last night TV presenter Vanessa Feltz backed the change in the law that will target offenders who make victims' lives a misery by abusing them using social media.

The Radio 2 star was taunted by sick internet trolls who attacked her for publically claiming that she had been indecently assaulted by Rolf Harris while interviewing him on live TV.

Her fiancé Ben Ofoedu told the Sunday Express: "Vanessa and I welcome the change in the law which we hope will help people to increase their compassion quotient."

The Sunday Express launched its victims' crusade in response to the backlash Vanessa suffered in the fall-out of her explosive revelation.

The paper called on the Government to crackdown on shameless cyber-stalkers and text perverts.

Now Chris Grayling has responded by announcing tougher penalties for those who peddle their abuse on-line, signalling victory for our campaign.

Last night the Justice Secretary told the Sunday Express: "The sending of abusive messages or material online can cause absolute misery for victims and we need to make sure that people who commit these awful crimes are properly punished.

"We already have offences in place to deal with this appalling behaviour, but we've toughened up the law to make sure these crimes can be properly investigated and those who commit the most serious offences face a longer prison sentence."

The Government is changing the law to increase the maximum sentence for sending abusive or offensive material online with the intent of causing distress or anxiety from six months to two years.

Vanessa Feltz was abused after claiming that she had been indecently assaulted by Rolf Harris [MARK KEHOE ]

We already have offences in place to deal with this appalling behaviour, but we've toughened up the law to make sure these crimes can be properly investigated and those who commit the most serious offences face a longer prison sentence

Justice Secretary

This will mean more serious offences can be dealt with at Crown Court.

Alongside this, changes will be introduced to allow up to three years, as opposed to six months as previously, for prosecutors to bring cases against people for using the internet, social media or mobile phones to send menacing messages.

This will give them more time to build a case in an area of law where it can be difficult to secure conviction.

The changes follow a series of high-profile cases in which mobiles and websites, such as Twitter and Facebook, have been used to abuse celebrities.

The pretty 27-year-old daughter of TV presenters Judy Finnigan and Richard Madeley was terrorised by cyber-bullies after her mother sparked controversy by appearing to defend rapist Ched Evans.

One Twitter user said he had her mother's blessing to rape her after Judy declared live on ITV's Loose Women that the footballer should be allowed to play again after being released early from jail because his hotel attack was "not violent".

Her father has since reported the sick rape messages to the police.

Chloe Madeley, with her father Richard who vowed attackers will be prosecuted [REX ]

In 2011, Sean Duffy, of Reading, was jailed for 18 weeks for sickening posts on YouTube and Facebook after a schoolgirl who had committed suicide.

Natasha MacBryde, 15, died under a train h close to her home in Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, in 2011.

Duffy, 28, had never met her but left posts insulting her on tribute sites, including posting a video entitled 'Tasha the Tank Engine', showing the children's train Thomas with Miss MacBryde's face.

In 2012 Swansea student Liam Stacey, then 21, was jailed for 56 days for tweeting insults about footballer Fabrice Muamba, who collapsed on the pitch from a cardiac arrest as his team Bolton played Tottenham in the FA cup.

But trolls now face tougher sentences.

The changes to the law will be made through the Criminal Justice and Courts Bill, currently going through Parliament and due to be debated in the Lords this week.

It comes on top of a raft of Government measures to support victims.

Currently offences under the Malicious Communications Act can only be tried at magistrates' courts, which can impose a prison sentence no longer than six months.

Next year, victims' rights to tell the court how their crime has affected them will be set out in statute and a new nationwide Victims' Information Service will be set up to ensure better information and support.

Plans are also being developed to require advocates to undergo specialist training before taking part in sexual abuse or rape trials, which will make going to court easier and less distressing for victims.

Vulnerable victims and witnesses will also be given greater opportunity to give evidence away from the court building, and pre-trial cross examination for child victims is expected to be rolled out nationally, subject to the evaluation of ongoing pilots.